Brenton Reagan and Tim Cohn to Attempt the “Cobra Pillar”

Exum Mountain guide Brenton Reagan and Teton Valley legend Tim Cohn are on their way to the Ruth Gorge in the Alaska Range, a mile wide glacier beneath Denali that is bordered by 5,000 foot walls. They will attempt to ascend the famous “Cobra Pillar” on Mount Barrille, a classic first climbed in 1989 by Exum guides Jim Donini and Jack Tackle, that goes up the center of the wall pictured above. The route has over 20 pitches of sustained free climbing up to 5.11.

The Ruth Gorge is famous for having some of the greatest alpine routes in the world, and many renowned alpinists have established routes along its superb granite walls. Reagan and Cohn will be climbing in the area until June 10.

Reagan said, “We intend to climb the Cobra Pillar in a single push, without a bivy. There is a lot of daylight in Alaska this time of year, and that will enable us to climb for a few days straight if necessary. There are other routes in the area we will also attempt, and we’ll have ski gear with us. We will be posting updates via satellite phone, so stayed tuned for notes, photos, and videos!”